Aerial conveyer system



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,697,938

H. L. TURNEY AERIAL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed April 10, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 8, 1929. 1,697,938

H. L. TURNEY AERIAL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed April 10, 1924 4 Shee ts-Sheet 5 F as. 4

g 77:2 QM/ Jan. 8, 1929.

H. L. TURNEY AERIAL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed April 10, 1924' 4 Sheets-Sheet Patented Jan. 8, 192.9.

uniran stares HARRY L. TURNEY, F PORTLAND,- OREGON.

AERIAL CONVEYER SYSTEM.

Application filed. April 10, 1924. Serial No. 705,597.

This invention is designed to convey materials and is of particular advantage in the handling of logs and the invention is exemplified in connection with such use although it will be understood that other materials may be used. In describing tllQlIlVBIltion, therefore, I have given to the different parts and lines the designations usually applied to such parts in the loggmg lndustry but it will be understood that the use of such designations is a matter of convenience rather than a'limitation of the invention to this particular operation. I The invention involves the use of a standing line or support and a travelling carrier on the support which can be moved along the standing line to any point desired. It 1nvolves'a skidding line operating over the carrier with means to pull slack on the skidding line at the point desired and devices for locking the skidding line with the carrier to carry the logs to the designation desired and means'for releasing the skidding line to deposit the log atsuch point, the device being capable of gathering the logs atany point aldng the standing line and of depositing the logs at any point along the standing line. Features and details of the invention will appear from the following specification and claims.

Theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as followsr Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a logging system. 5 Fig. 2 a central section'of the carrier on the lines 22 in Figs. 3 and 4:.

Fig. 3 a section on the line 33 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 a section on the line l4 in Fig.2. Fig. 5 a plan view of the logging, or hoisting engine operating the lines, of the system. 1 marks the head tree which is guyed by the usual lines 1 and 2 the tail tree which is nyed by the usual lines 2'. The standing line is supported on a shoe 4 011 the tail '4 tree and secured at an anchor 5. The stand- 11 secured to the head tree by a strap 12 and extends to a heel block 12 on the logging 'engine 13. It will readily be seen by operating the heel line the standing line maybe given any tension desired. While I have shown a'standing line as a support for the carrier,

it will be understood that any convenient supportmay be' used and need not be form of a flexible cable as shown. 1

A carrier 14; is mounted on the standing line 3 and a skidding line 15 leads through the carrier from the logs or load 16 to a block 17 mounted by means of a strap 18 on the head tree. The skidding line is carried to a skidding drum 19 on the engine. The hold back or trip line 20 extends from the carrier through a blockj21 on the tail tree and through a corner block 22 secured b a strap in the 23 on an anchorageMand thence t rough a block 25 secured by a strap 26 on the head tree to the trip line drum 27 on-the engine.

A trip andslack pulling line 28 is secured by a swivel 29 to the skiddingline and carried through asheave 30 on the carrier, and thence through a block 31 secured to the head tree by a strap 32 to a grip line drum 33 on the engine The detail mechanism will be better understood by an outline of the operation. The carrier is pulled out by the trip line 20, the skidding line and grip linebeing played out with it. When the carrier reaches a position opposite the logs the grip line tension is increased. .This releases the skidding line and pulls the slack in the skidding line so that the free end can be carried tothe load.

The load is engaged and the skiddingline pulled in so as to lift the load to the position desired. The grip line is then operated (by releasing tension in this instance) to lock the skidding linewith the carrier. The load is then brought to the desired destination by pulling .in the skidding line. the grip line following in as the skiddingline is-pulled in and the trip line being played out as theskidding line is pulled in. 'Whenthe logs are at the destination the trip line is locked and the grip line is put under tension thus releasing the skidding line and the load is lowered to the position desired by playing out the skidding line. The mechanism for accomplish ing these operations so far as the carrier is concerned is as follows ':--T he carrier is carr1ed by grooved wheels 34. These are mount 7 ed on axles secured between side plates 36.

A sheave 37 is journaled on a pin 38 secured to the side plates 36 by extensions on which nuts '39 are placed. The skidding line extends between jaws 40 and 41 of a locking clamp and thence through guide sheaves and 43 carried by pins 44 and 45 between the plates.

The clamp is provided with the removable working surfaces 46' which are secured in 'the clamp jaws by means of screws 47. A

m series of toggle bars 48 are arranged along the jaw '41 and are pivotally connected therewithby pins 49. The opposite ends of these in an anchor plate 51..

has extensions 52 which extend to'the side bars or levers are mounted on pins secured The anchor plate plates and-the anchor plate is secured be- The jaw 40 is mounted on a series of bars 55 which are pivotally connected with the jaw by pins 56. The opposite ends of the levers or bars 55 are mounted on pins 57 which are secured in the anchor plate 58. The anchor plate 58 has the side extensions 59 and the plate is secured to the side plates by bolts 60. Supporting plates 61 are secured to the side plates by rivets 62 and form engaging shoulders for the anchor plate. In order. to limit the movement of the jaws andprevent the toggle levers straightening I provide a stop. This is formed'by a lug orblock 63 secured between the side plates and having a bolt 63 extending through it. Washers or shims 64 are arranged under. the head 65 of the bolt so as'to vary or adjust the stop and the bolt issecured in place by a. nut 66. It will be understood that the bars 48 are arranged at each side of the jaw 41. The end bars 48 are extended forming levers 67 The anchor plate is cut away at 68 and the supporting plate 61 is cut away at 69 affording a passage next to the side plates for these levers. A link 70 is arranged between the ends of the levers 67 and connected thereto by'a pin 71. Theopposite endof the link 70 extends between the arms of a forked'lever 73 and is connected thereto by a pin 7 2. The lever 73 is mounted on a .pin 74, this pin having a flat head 75atone site side.

side and. is securedby a nut 76 at the oppoand connected thereto by, a pin 79. The opposite end of the link 78 extends between the I Theend bars of the series of bars '55 are extended forming levers 77. A link 7 8 is arrangedbetween the ends of these levers arms of a forked extension of the lever 73 and is connected with the lever 73 by a pin 80. It will readily be seen that as the lever 73 is swung the jaws 40 and41 are swung to and from the skidding line.

The means for swinging the lever 73 and thus setting the clamp or grip on the skidpin 82 extends through a slot 88 in one of the side plates and the sheave 30 is mounted on the outer end of said pin 82. The grip line operates over the sheave 30 as we have before stated. A cover plate 89 is arranged over the sheave and spaced from the side plate by angle plates 7 90, the cover plate being secured by bolts 91. The trip line is secured to the carrier by a bail 92 which is secured to the plates by a pin 93. e

In the operation of the carrier, the carrier is stopped at the desired point and the grip line is put under tension holding the skidding line sufhciently to give this tension so as to overcome the spring 85. It then swings the lever 73 clockwise and this swings the aws 40 and 41 to open position through the lever connections I have before described. A conbraking of the skidding line will pull slack on the [skidding line to the extent desired. The load is then engaged, the skidding line pulled back giving the load the position de-.

sired, the tension being preferably kept on the grip line so as to maintain the jaws of the clamp in open position. When the log or load has reached the desired position sufficient tension is released on the grip line to permit the spring to operate and swing the jaws to closed position. The skidding line is then pulled in, the trip line being played out as desired. As .the load comes on the clamp it tends to increase the clamping action so that any tendency of the skidding line to slip under the forceof the load is obvia-ted. When the carrier reaches the desired position for depositing the load the trip line is set and the tension is put on the grip line and the skidding line is preferably given a slight movement to assist the grip line in opening the jaws. The jaws then move to their open position andare held in-this position by the grip line and the skidding line is played out to deposit the load as desired, the grip line following up this movement with suflicient tension to retain the clan' ping jaws in open position.

The frame of the engine 13 is made up of the side beams 94 connected by cross beams 95 in the usual manner. As shown it is provided with a boiler 96. Engines 97 are secured to the frame and operate on cranks 98. The cranks are mounted on the drive shaft 99, this shaft being journaled in bearings 100 on the side beams and an intermediate beam 94 7 'Gears 101 and 102 of different diameters mesh with gears 103 and-104 respectively to give dilferent speeds and the gears 103 and 104 are locked witha shaft 106 by means of a'clutch mechanism actuated by a friction actuated mechanism 107 on the'end of the shaft, this mechanism being similar to and operating as shown inmy Patent #1562373, Dec. 14th, 1920. A gear 108 meshes with the gear 101. The gear 108 is mounted on a shaft 109 carried by bearings 110. The heel block dru'm 12 has a clutch 111 which can be locked with the gear 108 by means of a friction device 113 at the end of the shaft 109. The heel block drum is also provided with the usual brake 114. The operation of this drum is apparent and is used simply to put the tension in the standing line. A gear 115 is mounted on the shaft 106 and meshes with an internal gear116. The internal gear 116 is adapted to be locked by means of a clutch 117 with the skidding drum 19. The gear 116 and-drum 19 are mounted on a shaft 118 mounted in bearings 119. The clutch 117 is operated by a friction device 120 at the end of the shaft. A-brake 117 is provided for the-skidding drum and is open ated by a rod 117 actuated by a foot lever 117 I A gear 121. meshes with the gear 102. It is mounted on a shaft 122 and the shaft122 is mounted in bearings 123. The trip line drum 27 is mounted on theshaft 122 and is adapted to be locked with the shaft by a clutch 124, the clutch being actuated by a friction de vice 126. A brake band 128 operates on a brake surface 127 on the drum. The brake band is actuated by a shaft 129. A rock'arm 130 operates the shaft 129, the rock arm being actuated by a ram 131. The rain is supplied through a pipe 132 controlled by a variabie pressure fluid controlling valve 133. Through this valve, which may be of any of the usual types, varying pressure may bedelivered to the ram as desired so as to give the brake pres sure desired, to lock or control the load through the trip line. This is of importance in that where logs are carried down steep slopes the liold-back or trip line is depended upon to prevent the log running away and one cf the particular advantages of my construc tion is that the skidding line is locked in the under all conditions and cannot be l when the log moves ahead of the careason of ground contour. The gear 121 is fixed on the shaft 122 and meshes with a gear 134 on an intermediate shaft-135. The shaft 135 is mounted in bearings 136- A gear 137 is fixed-on the shaft 135 and meshes with a gear 138. The gear 138 is mountedon a shaft 139. The shaft is mounted inbearings 140 in the frame. The grip line drum 33 is mounted on the shaft 139 and is in frictional engagement with thegear 138 at all times. A friction plate 141 is arranged on the side of the gear 138 and opposes a friction plate 142. A friction lining 143 is arranged between these plates. The plate 142 is mounted on the side of the drum. At the opposite side of the drum there is a friction plate 144 opposing a friction plate 146 with an intervening friction material between these plates;

A driver 147 is splined on the shaft 139. The gear 138 is also fixed on the shaft so that the driver moves with the gear. The driver is moved through the action of a spring 148 arranged between the driver and a collar 149. A pin 150 extends through the shaft'and engages the collar and is actuated by a push pin 151 extending through the endof the "shaft. The push pin is actuated by a head 152, the head being subjectedto the-action of a diaphragm 153 in a diaphragm case 154. Pressure is maintained on this diaphragm at all times so that the friction surfaces between the.

drum and the gear and the drum and the drlver are malntalned at all times. The pressure, however, is very much modified part of the time, being sufficient to take up the slack in the grip line and at other times being sufficient to overcome the spring 85 as hereinbefore described. The diaphragm is con-- trolled through a pipe 156 which extends to a control valve 157, this control valve being of thevariable pressure control type. The drum 33 has under all conditions a higher speed than the skidding drum 19, the gearing 102, 121,134, 137 and 138 giving quite a preponderance of speed to the gripping drum over thedrum 19 when the druin-19 is running at its highestspeed. Consequently the tensions which we have heretofore described are maintained on the gripping line as the skidding line is actuated.-

The operation of the device is as follows The operator sets the trip line drum27 and this pulls the carriage out'into the field. During this time the skidding line is retarded by the brake 117 a and the grlp line'is retarded because the gear 138 rotates the drum 33 in a direction tending to wind up the grip line. The friction created by the diaphragm as controlled by the valve 157 is setveiylightduring this operationjust sufficient to keep the slack out of the line going out but not suf ficient to operate the spring'85.- When the carriage reaches its destination the trip line drum is released from the clutch and locked by the brake. High pressure is put on the i;

diaphragm'153 so as to give sufficient tension to the grip line drum to overcome the spring 85. The skiddingline is held sufficientiyto give this tension to' overcome the spring and maintain the jaws of the clamp clamp. The carriage then takes on the load and the brake on the trip line is released and the load is drawn in by the skidding line. lVhen the carriage is brought to the, point of designation desired the trip line is locked and the diaphragm is subjected to high pressure, putting the grip line under suificient tension to release the clamp. It will be understood that this is a yielding tension due to the slip ping of the friction devices on the grip drum. The skidding line is. given a slight forward movement and this with the action of the grip line releases the jaws of the clamp. The skidding drum is then released and the skidding line played out by the manipulation of the brake on the skidding drum so as to deposit the' load as desired, the gripline following this movement under itsfriction drive so as to maintain the clamps in open position as the load is deposited.

lVhat I claim as new is 1. In an aerial conveyer system, the combinationof a carriersupport; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier and opposed to the skiddin line; and meansleading to and operating from a fixed point and in connection with said ,lines in different positions of the carrier on the support atthe will of the operator for locking the skidding line at points remote from the ends of the skidding line with the carrier; the point of locking vbeing at the will of the operator and for releasing the same from the carrier comprising a slack pulling control line playing out the slack in the release skidding line as the slack is pulled. I

2. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support a skidding line running to the car rier; a clamp on the'carrier directly engaging andlocking the skidding line with the i carrier at various points along the skidding line at the will of the operator to carry the load; a spring setting the clamp; and means actuated from a fixed point moving thecarrier to various positions onthe support and acting on the spring while maintaining free running conditions between the carrier and support to set and releasethe clamp. 7

3. In an aerial conveyer'system, the combination of a carrier support; acarrieron the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a clamp through which the skidding line runs comprising swinging jaws, said jaws being mounted onopposing portions engaging the skiddingli'ne with a toggle action in the directionof the load; lever extensions from said bars; a swinging lever; links be tween the swinging lever and said lever extensions; a spring operating on said swinging lever; and a control line connected with the swinging lever. j

4; In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a clamp through which the skidding line runs comprising swinging jaws, said jaws being mounted on opposing portions engaging the skidding line with a toggle action in the direction of the load; lever extensions from said bars; a swinging lever; links between the swinging lever and said lever extensions; a spring operating on said swinging lever; a sheave on the swingingrlever; and a control line extending to the sheave and having a return end connected to the skid ding line to pull slack.

5. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a control apparatus on the carrier; a skidding line running to the carrier; a. skidding drum actuating the skidding line; a control line running to the carrier and actuating the control apparatus; a control drum actuating the control line; a continuously one way actuated yielding driving mechanism for the control drum; and devices varying the 'drivng force of the mechanism to vary the control through the control line.

6. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a control apparatus on the carrier; a skidding line running to the carrier; a skidding drum actuating the skidding line; a control line running to the carrier and actuating the control apparatus; a control drum actuat ing the control line; a continuously oneway actuated yielding driving mechanism for the control drum, said driving mechanism giving the control drum a greater speed than the skidding drum; and devices varying the driving force of the mechanism to vary the control through the control line.

7. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running tot-he carrier and opposed to the skidding line; a control line operated in connection with the trip line and skidding line from a fixed point and operating upon the carrier at different positions along the support atthe will of'the operator locking the skidding linewith the carrier and releasing the same therefrom; and a continua ously yielding driving mechanism actuating the control line comprlsing means varying the control through the control hne.

8. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier and opposed to the skidding line; a control line releasing the same thereon; a continuously yielding driving mechanism' actuating the control line; and means for varying the force oftlie driving mechanism varying the control through the control line. V

9. In an aerial conveyer system, the combi nation of a carrier support; a carrier on the support a skidding. line running to the carrier; a trip line running tothe carrier and opposed to the skidding line; a spring actuated means for locking the skidding line with the carrier; a control line operating in connection with the skid-ding and trip lines from avfixed'point acting at different positions of the carrier on the support at the will of the operator through the spring to cont-r01 the locking and releasing of the skidding line .with and from the carrier; and a continuously operating yielding driving mechanism for the control line varying the control ,through the control line.

10. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier onthe support; a skidding line running'to the carr1er;.'a spring-actuated locking means locking the skidding line with the carrier, a trip line running to the carrier and opposed to the skidding 11116; a control line operated in connection with the trip line and skidding line from a fixed point and operating upon the carrier at different positions along the support at the will ofthe operator locking the skidding line with thecarrier and releasing the same therefrom; a. continuously yielding driving mechanism actuating the v control line; and means for varying the driving force voft-he mechanism to place a-tensionon the control line below or above the spring tension for actuating the locking means. v

a 11. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skid-ding line running to the carrier; a spring-actuated locking means locking the skidding line with the carrier, trip line runningto the carrier and opposed to the skidding line; a control line operated 1 in connection with the; trip line and skidding line from a fixed point and operating upon the carrier at different positions alongthe support at the will of the operator locking the skidding line with the carrier and'releasing the same therefrom; a continuously yielding driving mechanism actuating the e control line; and means for varying the driving force of the mechanism to place a tension on the control line below or above the spring tension ffor actuating'the locking means, said driving mechanism giving to the control line a greater speed than the skidding line; i

12. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; arcarrier onthe support; a skidding line running to the can 7 releasing the same therefrom; and a continuously yielding driving mechanism actuating the control line, said driving mechanism giving to the control line a greater speedthan the skidding line comprising means varying the driving force of said line to vary the con trol through the control line. 1

13. In anaerial conveyer system, the comloination of a carrier support; acarrier on the support; a skidding line running to the car.- rier; a trip line running to the carrierand opposed'to the skidding line; a control line operatedin connection with the trip line and skidding line from a fixed point and operating upon the carrier at different positions along the support at the will of the operator locking the skidding line with the carrier and releasing the same therefrom continuously yielding driving mechanism actuating the control line comprising means varying the driving force of the mechanism to vary the control throughthe control'line; and means actuated by the control line'for pulling slack in the skidding line.

14. In an aerial conveyer system, the' com-' bination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier and opposed to the skiddlng 11118;3 control line operated in'connection with the trip line and 15. In an aerial conveyer system, the com-l binationof a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier and opposed to the skidding line a spring actuated means for locking the skiddingline with thecarrier'; a control line operating in: connection with the skidding and trip lines from a fixed point acting atvdifiere'nt posltions'of for pulling slack I thecarrier on the support at the will of the operator through the spring to control the locking and releasing of the skidding line with and from the carrier; and a continu ously operating yielding driving mechanism for the control line, said control line compr1s ing means' varying the driving force of the mechanism to vary the control through the control line having a return end connected with the skidding line for pulling slack in the skidding'line.

16; In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrieron the support; a skidding'line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier; a conrier; a trip line running to the carrier; a control line running to the carrier; means operated from a fixed point in connectionwith said lines holding the carrier at different positions on'the support at the will of the operator locking and releasing the skidding line *Wlllll and from the carrier comprising a continuously yielding driving mechanism for the control line; and means for varving the driving force of the mechanism to change the tension on the cont-r01 line for locking and releasing the skidding line.

18. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier,;-a control line running to the carrier and means operated from g a fixed point in 4 connection wlth said lines holding the carrier at various positions on the support at the will of the operator locking and releasing the'skidd'ing 11118 with and from the carrier comprising a continuously yielding driving mechanism for the control line and comprising means varying the driving force of the mechanism to vary the control through the control line, said dr1v1ng mechanism driving the control line at a speed greater than the skidding line.

19. In' an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support a skidding line running to the carrier; 21.131711) line running to the carrier; a control line running to the carrier; a clamp on the carrier controlled by the control line adapted to engage and lock the skidding line with the carrier; a continuously actuating yielding driving mechanism for the control line and means for varying the driving force of the mechanism to affect the control.

20. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of acarrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier; a contolline running to the carrier; a' clamp on the carrier controlled by the control line adapted to engage and lock the skidding line with the carrier; a continuously actuating yielding driving mechanism for, the control line driving the controlline' at a greater speed than the skidding line; and means for varying the driving force of the mechanlsm to affect the control. 7 7

21. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of-a carrier support a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the'carrier; a control line running to the carrier; a clamp on the carrier controlled by the control line adapted to engage and lock the skidding line with the carrier; a continuously actuating yielding driving mechanism for the control line driving the control line at a greater speed than the skidding line; means for varying the driving force of the mechanism to affect the control; and means for pulling slack actuated by the control line.

22. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to thecarrier ;'a controlline running to the carrier; a clamp on the carrier controlled by the control line adapted to engage and lock the'skidding line with the carrier; a continuously actuating yielding driving mechanism for the control line; and means for varying the driving'force of the mechanism to affect the control, the control line having a return end connected with the skidding line for pulling slack.

I 23. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on. the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip line running to the carrier; a control line running to the carrier; askidding drum driving the skidding line; a control drum driving the control line; a yielding driving mechanism for the control drum; means for varying the tension of the driving mechanism to vary the tension on the control line; a'clamp on the carrier en 'agingthe skidding line; a spring setting t e clamp; and a connection between thecontrol line and the spring whereby the spring isactuat'ed by its varying tension to set and release the clamp.

24. In an aerial conveyer system, the combination of a carrier support; a carrier on the support; a skidding line running to the carrier; a trip hnerunning to the carrier; a control line running to the carrier; a skidding drum driving the skidding line; a control drum driving the control line; a yield ing driving mechanism for the control drum; means for Varying the tension of the driving mechanism to vary the tension on the, control line; a clamp on the carrier engaging the skid- 6 ding line; a spring setting the clamp; a connection between the control line and the spring whereby the spring is actuated by its Varying tension to set and release the clamp, and a return end on the control line for pulling slack.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY L. 'IVUBNEY. 

